As warmer weather approaches I know most people kick off their confining shoes and opt instead for flip-flops. But beware. Classic flip-flops are one of the worst things for your feet and your back.
Classic flip-flops- and by those I mean sandals with a single, angled strap that runs between the 1st and 2nd toes and a base of “support” as flat and flat as can be- were never meant to be worn as active footwear. These shoes became popular in America, originally in California, as a way to walk across the hot sand of the Pacific Coast beaches and not burn the bottom of the feet. They should have remained just that, however from there they evolved into a mainstay of American footwear. Why, you ask, is this such a problem?
Firstly, classic flip-flops have zero arch support and thin soles. When there is no support for the foot, the forces that translate up into the rest of the body are stressful to the feet, knees, hips and low back. Things like plantar fasciitis, medial knee pain, lateral hip pain and low back achiness are common results.
Secondly, because the only way the footwear stays on is by means of a thin strap across the front, there is excess strain across the area, which not only affects that area but eventually affects gait. Even if flip-flops with a better footbed and wider strap are purchased (see recommendations below), they are still not meant to be worn in situations where a lot of walking is going to take place. When walking for an extended period of time, please wear supportive sneakers.
Even if these are not meant to cover many miles, there are thankfully a lot of players in the supportive flip-flop business. Look for styles that boast arch support, thicker soles and wider straps. The best brands I have seen (in no particular order) are as follows:
- Birkenstock
- Vionic
- Merrell
- Clarks
- FitFlop
- OOFOS